Companies that regularly reward staff with fruit baskets may be interested in introducing salary sacrifice schemes to further their employee's morale.

Pay and benefits editor at XpertHR.co.uk Shelia Attwood described how such systems are becoming increasingly popular.

In 2007, just over 40 per cent of organisations offered salary sacrifice schemes, with this figure having risen to 63.2 per cent in April/May last year.

Ms Attwood noted the most favoured benefits are childcare vouchers, cycle to work schemes and pensions.

"The top three hasn't really changed over the last five years - they are the top ones being offered," she added.

It was suggested childcare vouchers were presented by almost all off the schemes, while pensions are starting to feature "fairly highly".

HR and training consultant Tara Daynes recently claimed salary sacrifice schemes are a good way to help staff feel rewarded and like their efforts have been recognised.